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They've done it 13 of the past 17 seasons, so it should really come as no surprise, but the New York Yankees are your 2012 American League East champions after crushing the Boston Red Sox, 14-2, Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.
Their final game of the regular season, the Yankees needed a win and a Baltimore Orioles loss to win the division. They got both, meaning their 2012 MLB Playoffs campaign begins Sunday against either the Orioles or Texas Rangers, who will face off in the inaugural one-game Wild Card playoff.
As part of a three-game sweep of their hated rivals, the Yankees set the tone early, scoring five runs in the first three innings, and also posting five runs in the seventh inning to keep their distance from the Sox.
Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson both had two home runs, with Cano also posting a career high six RBIs.
Huroki Kuroda pitched seven strong inning to pick up his 16th win of the season.